Ares saw what he assumed to be the mother of the boy he inhabited walking towards them. She was pretty as far as mortals go, porcelin skin offset by green eyes and hair the color of fire. He had been making small talk with the King as she approached, and things seemed to have been going on well between them, but that had been cut short the moment she had addressed him.
The King turned his attention to Sareash, a look of disdained appeared across his face, and his body language showed he was more than a bit agitated.
"I had expected Lord Blackfyre to greet us in person, am I to assume that he does not want to meet with his King after being notified months in advance of my arrival?," the tone of his voice only further displayed the King's agitation.
"Your Majesty, Lord Blackfyre is ill and bed ridden, he apologizes sincerely for his absence and asks that he be excused from entertaining you for the day. In his absence, he requests that young Lord Nobaru sees to your every need. I trust you will find him most accommodating," replied Sareash respectfully and calmly. If there was one thing Sareash had learned over the years, it was to never let Royalty see or know your true intentions.
"Lord Blackfyre is ill?," asked the Queen. "Well, that is most unpleasant news. I'm loathe to be here, if that is indeed the case." The Queen eyed Sareash suspiciously.
Sareash apologized again sympathetically. Bowing her head low as if to appear distressed of the whole situation. A slight shiver running through her body.
"Well," said the king. "The timing of his illness is indeed ill-fated. We had important matters to discuss. We will stay for a short period with young Nobaru and discuss his future in this Kingdom, being a seventh son will leave him with limited options, and judging by what I've seen so far, we may have good use for him in the Royal Capitol."
The King's smile reminded Ares of the one Tursas had had on his face the night before. He couldn't trust this man, and sooner or later he'd have to die. But being brought to whatever this "Royal Capitol" is sounded like a good opportunity to find out more about this land and his place in it. And maybe, just maybe, find a way back to my former self, thought Ares, smiling notoriously in his mind.
Lady Blackfyre excused herself, and made her way back to the steps and disappeared once again behind them, the echo of her footsteps slowly fading away. His apparent siblings wouldn't return for hours, and with any luck they'd be long gone by then, Ares needed that time to make sure leaving when the King leaves was the only option.
"Your Majesty, I'm sure you'd like to relax after such along journey. Let's retire to the dining hall," suggested Ares.
"Very well, I hear the cooks here are outstanding, some of the best in the land. I am just awaiting my daughter," replied the king.
The doors of the mansion opened and in walked the most beautiful and lovely young woman Ares had ever seen among gods and men, with a face that could be the envy of every living thing in all of the realms he has ever overseen. The long dress, the colors of the rising sun, hung to her ankles and accentuated her curves, platinum hair rested just below her shoulder, shining in the light, and eyes the color of a pale blue sky. Ares heart paused in his chest, what was this feeling that was swelling inside of him?
"Meet my daughter, and your future Queen. Yavia, this is young Lord Nobaru, the seventh son of Lord Blackfyre," the King said with a smile. "I have plans to bring him back with us."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Nobaru," Princess Yavia curtsied and smiled shyly as she extended her hand. "I look forward to your presence at the Capitol."
"The pleasure is all mine my lady," Ares replied respectfully as he leaned to kiss her hand, never breaking eye contact."
Yavia blushed as she pulled her back slowly and played with her hair. This was going to be interesting, mused Ares.